Sholom Sharabi better known as the Rashash. Drinking his words of Torah were the future giants of Kabalah: Rabbeinu Yom Tov Algazi, the Chida, and more.
Once they had learned their fill of the Torah as we see it, they listened as their rov delved into the depths of the secrets of Kabalah. These exalted men formed a pact together, working on themselves and taking on certain takonos. One of the most prestigious members of these holy groups was the Chida.
One day word spread that the Chida had taken upon himself to separate from the group and go out into the great world outside Eretz Yisroel to collect funds for the poor and needy of Chevron. The reason too soon became known.
Rabbeinu R' Shalom Sharabi felt that the time was now a favorable one in heaven to daven and try to hasten the final redemption. Under his instructions all the members of his holy group cut themselves off from all worldly matters, afflicting themselves in various ways after which they sanctified their bodies with a fast of 3 days without a break.
However, the time was not yet ripe and after the three-day fast was over they heard a heavenly voice calling out to them, "My dear sons, my time for the redemption is not yet ripe. You have no right to hasten it by force. Besides one of you will have to suffer the trials of going out into golus."
Since there was no mention of who would be the one, they drew lots, the Chida being the one picked out. When the men of Chevron asked the Chida soon after this if he could travel abroad to collect funds, they were pleasantly surprised at his quick agreement.
They had planned to ask him, for his great name and personality and powerful oratory would cause people to contribute handsomely to their worthy cause but they hadn't been prepared for him to accede so easily to their request.
The Chida immediately left by way of Egypt and then on to other countries to persuade Jews in foreign lands to donate their money for the poor of Eretz Yisroel. His travels led him to Livorno, the greater part of Italy and over to the German states.
Early on in his wanderings, he was warmly greeted and given great honor, for his name and greatness had preceded him, the rabbonim already learnt from his seforim and some of the laymen knew who he was.
In contrast, in the greater part of Europe the name of the Chida had not yet spread, causing the people to ask him wherever he went for his letter of proof and approbation. Somewhere along the tiring journey, the Chida lost all his documents. Upon arriving at the next city, he went to the rov and introduced himself. However he had no proof to present showing that this was indeed the Chida and not an imposter out to trick the people.
Seeing that he had no documents, the rov demanded that he say some chiddushim that are written in the seforim of the Chida. If he knew them really well that would be adequate proof.
Hearing this, the Chida refused to speak. His aide the Chacham Shmuel Ben Chaim tried to persuade him to talk for if the locals would not see his greatness they would drive him out in shame and disgrace and no money would be collected for the poor. Moreover in Italy and all the other places the Chida had spoken at great lengths teaching Torah wherever he went, and just here he would be struck dumb.
The Chida was obstinate, however, insisting he cannot say divrei Torah to these people. Degraded and scoffed at by the people, the Chida saw he was getting nowhere and had no choice but to write a letter to Chevron suggesting that they quickly send new papers to replace the last once, proving that he was in fact the Chida.
As soon as the awaited letter arrived, the elders of the community apologized profusely to the Chida, begging him to give public speeches and discussed Torah subjects with him as students to their rabbi. Puzzled, they asked the Chida, "Why did Rabbeinu not tell us his Torah earlier, thus saving himself all the humiliation. Had we heard a few words out of your holy mouth we would have realized that there stands before us a Godol Hador of unique caliber."
"In a place where people know me and ask me to speak the words of Hashem or to stir their hearts and bring them close to our Father in heaven, I do not refuse," replied the Chida. "For this is the purpose of man -- to glorify the Torah. But to gain personal honor and fame through divrei Torah I cannot do. You wanted, through Torah, to test me and discover who I am, forcing me to use the Torah to show my personality and strength which is not allowed. I preferred, therefore, the humiliation of being suspected as a deceiver and a cheat to using the crown of Torah for my personal gain."
The residents who heard his words were extremely impressed and rushed to do his bidding, collecting a large amount of money towards his cause. How great is the Torah of a man who refuses to be personally glorified by it, at the cost of his own dignity.
